Chapter 11 Fractional-N Synthesizers

11.1 Basic Concepts 11.2 Randomization and Noise Shaping 11.3 Quantization Noise Reduction Techniques 11.4 Appendix I: Spectrum of Quantization Noise

Behzad Razavi, RF Microelectronics.

Prepared by Bo Wen, UCLA

Chapter Outline

Randomization and Noise Shaping

Modulus Randomization Basic Noise Shaping Higher-Order Noise Shaping Out-of-Band Noise Charge Pump Mismatch

Quantization Noise Reduction

DAC Feedforward Fractional Divider Reference Doubling Multi-Phase Division

Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers

Basic Concepts: Example of Fractional-N Loop

We expect to obtain other fractional ratios between N and N+1 by simply changing the percentage of the time during which the divider divides by N or N+1 In addition to a wider loop bandwidth than that of integer-N architectures, this approach also reduces the inband amplification of the reference phase noise because it requires a smaller N.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 3

Fraction Spurs

In above example, VCO is modulated at a rate of 0.1MHz and producing sidebands at 0.1MHzn around 10.1MHz, where n denotes the harmonic number. These sidebands are called fractional spurs. For a nominal output frequency of (N+)fREF, the LPF output exhibits a repetitive waveform with a period of 1/(fREF)
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 4

Fraction Spurs: Another Perspective

The overall feedback signal, xFB(t) can be written as the sum of two waveforms, each of which repeat every 10,000 ns. The first waveform consists of nine periods of 990 ns and a dead time of 1090 ns, while the second is simply a pulse of width 1090/2 ns. Since each waveform repeats every 10,000 ns, its Fourier series consists of only harmonics at 0.1 MHz, 0.2 MHz, etc. The sidebands can be considered FM (and AM) components, leading to periodic phase modulation:
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Example: Spectrum of Fractional Spur

Determine the spectrum of xFB1(t) in figure below.

Solution:
Let us first find the Fourier transform of one period of the waveform (from t1 to t2). This waveform consists of nine 990-ns cycles. If we had an infinite number of such cycles, the Fourier transform would contain only harmonics of 1.01 MHz. With nine cycles, the energy is spread out of the impulses. If this waveform is repeated every 10 s, its Fourier transform is multiplied by a train of impulses located at integer multiples of 0.1 MHz. The spectrum thus appears as shown in figure below.

Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers

Randomization and Noise Shaping: Modulus Randomization

xFB(t) exhibits a random sequence of 990-ns and 1090-ns periods xFB(t) now contains random phase modulation:

The modulus breaks the periodicity in the loop behavior, converting the deterministic sidebands to noise The instantaneous frequency of the feedback signal is therefore expressed as:

where b(t) randomly assumes a value of 0 or 1 and has an average value of In terms of its mean and another random variable with a zero mean:
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 7

More about Randomization

Plot b(t) and q(t) as a function of time.
The sequence b(t) contains an occasional square pulse so that the average is . Subtracting from b(t) yields the noise waveform, q(t).

If q(t) << N + , we have

The feedback waveform arriving at the PFD

Phase noise given by:

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More Examples of Phase Noise

Plot the previous formulated phase noise a function of time.
With the aid of the wave form obtained last Example for q(t), we arrive at the random triangular waveform shown below:

Determine the spectrum of n,div(t).

The time integral of a function leads to a factor of 1/s in the frequency domain. Thus, the power spectral density of q(t) must be multiplied by [2 fout / (N + )2 / ] 2,

where Sq(f) is the spectrum of the quantization noise, q(t). Note that this noise can be referred to the other PFD inputas if it existed in the reference waveform rather than the divider output.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 9

Synthesizer Output Phase Noise within the Loop Bandwidth

Alternatively, since fout = (N+)fREF

Compute Sq(f) if b(t) consists of square pulses of width Tb that randomly repeat at a rate of 1/Tb
We first determine the spectrum of b(t), Sb(f). As shown in Appendix I, Sb(f) is given by:

where the second term signifies the dc content. Thus,

revealing a main lobe between f = 0 and f = 1/Tb

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Basic Noise Shaping: Randomization Resulting in High-Pass Phase Noise Spectrum

We wish to generate a random binary sequence, b(t), that switches the divider modulus between N and N+1 such that (1) the average value of the sequence is , and (2) the noise of the sequence exhibits a highpass spectrum.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 11

Negative Feedback System as a High-Pass System

If H(s) is an ideal integrator

A negative feedback loop containing an integrator acts as a high-pass system on the noise injected near the output. If Q varies slowly with time, then the loop gain is large, making W a close replica of Q and hence Y small.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 12

Example of a Discrete-Time Version of Previous System ()

Construct a discrete-time version of the system shown in the previous slide if H must operate as an integrator

Solution:
Discrete-time integration can be realized by delaying the signal and adding the result to itself. We observe that if, for example, A = 1, then the output continues to rise in unity increments in each clock cycle. Since the z-transform of a single-clock delay is equal to z-1, we draw the integrator as shown below and express the integrator transfer function as

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Example of a Discrete-Time Version of Previous System ()

Construct a discrete-time version of the system shown in the previous slide if H must operate as an integrator

Thus, the discrete-time version of the system appears as shown above. Here, if Q = 0, then

i.e., the output simply tracks the input with a delay. Also, if X = 0, then

This is a high-pass response (that of a differentiator) because subtracting the delayed version of a signal from the signal yields a small output if the signal does not change significantly during the delay.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 14

Addition of a Signal and Its Delayed Version for High and Low Clock Frequencies

High clock frequencies

low clock frequencies

If the clock frequency increases, a(t) finds less time to change, and a1 and a2 exhibit a small difference.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 15

Example of Feedback System with an m-bit Input

Construct the system in the previous example in the digital domain with a precision (word length) of m bits.
Shown here, the system incorporates an input adder (#1) (in fact a subtractor) and

an integrator (accumulator) consisting of a digital adder (#2) and a register (delay element). The first adder receives two m-bit inputs, producing an (m + 1)-bit output. Similarly, the integrator produces an (m + 2)-bit output. Since the feedback path from Y drops the two least significant bits of the integrator output, we say it introduces quantization noise, which is modeled by an additive term, Q. In analogy with the continuous-time version, we note that the high integrator gain forces Y to be equal to X at low frequencies, i.e., the average of Y is equal to the average of X.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 16

- Modulator

The quantization from m+2 bits to 1 bit introduces significant noise, but the feedback loop shapes this noise in proportion to 1-z-1. The higher integrator gain ensures that the average of the output is equal to X. The choice of m is given by the accuracy with which the synthesizer output frequency must be defined.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 17

Noise Shaping of Modulator

The noise shaping function begins from zero at f = 0 and climbs to 4 at f = (2TCK)-1 (half the clock frequency). A higher clock rate expands the function horizontally, thus reducing the noise density at low frequencies.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 18

Shape of Sy(f)

Since the PLL bandwidth is much smaller than fREF, we can consider Sq(f) relatively flat for the frequency range of interest. We hereafter assume that the shape of Sy(f) is approximately the same as that of the noise-shaping function.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 19

Summary: Fractional-N Synthesizer Developed Thus Far

Shown above is a basic fractional-N loop using a - modulator to randomize the divide ratio. Clocked by the feedback signal, the - modulator toggles the divide ratio between N and N+1 so that the average is equal to N+
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 20

Problem of Tones

The output spectrum of - modulators contains the shaped noise, but also discrete tones. If lying at low frequencies, such tones are not removed by the PLL, thereby corrupting the synthesizer output. To suppress these tones, the periodicity of the system must be broken. If the LSB of X randomly toggles between 0 and 1, then the pulses in the output waveform occur randomly, yielding a spectrum with relatively small tones.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 21

Seeking a System with a Higher-Order Noise Shaping

The noise shaping function shown above does not adequately suppress the in-band noise. This can be seen by noting that, for f << (TCK)-1,

We therefore seek a system that exhibits a sharper roll-off. The following development will call for a non-delaying integrator. The transfer function is given by

Replace the 1-bit quantizer with a - modulator

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To Determine the Noise Shaping Function

Modifying the first integrator to a non-delaying topology:

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Comparison: Noise Shaping in First- and SecondOrder Modulators

We have

The noise shaping in second-order modulator remains lower than that of the first-order modulator for frequencies up to (6TCK)-1

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Cascaded Modulators

Y2 is a relatively accurate replica of U. Y2 is combined with Y1, yielding Yout as a more accurate representation of X. The system is called a 1-1 cascade.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 25

Residual Quantization Noise

we have and

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Example of Signal Combining Operation

Construct a circuit that performs the combining operation shown previously.

Solution:
For 1-bit streams, multiplication by z -1 is realized by a flipflop. The circuit thus appears as shown below:

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Problem of Out-of-Band Noise

The transfer function from the quantization noise to the frequency noise the phase noise The spectrum of the phase noise is thus obtained as

Experiencing the low-pass transfer function

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Summary: Effects of Phase Noise at the Output of a Fractional-N Loop

For small value of f, the product, Sout(f), begins from zero and rises to some extent. For larger values of f, the f2 behavior of the noise shaping function cancels the roll-off of the PLL, leading to a relatively constant plateau. At values of f approaching 1/(2TCK) = fREF /2, the product is dominated by the PLL roll-off. If comparable with the shaped VCO phase noise, this peaking proves troublesome.

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Effect of Charge Pump Mismatch

(a) PFD/CP with current mismatches. (b) effect for Up ahead of Down. (c) effect for Up behind Down. (d) resulting characteristic

the total charge delivered to the loop filter is equal to Now, let us reverse the polarity of the input phase difference.

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Example of Charge Pump Mismatch in Integer-N Synthesizers

Does the above nonlinearity manifest itself in integer-N synthesizers?
No, it does not. Recall from Chapter 9 that, in the presence of a mismatch between I1 and I2, an integer-N PLL locks with a static phase offset, T0, such that the net charge injected into the loop filter is zero. Now suppose the divider output phase experiences a small positive instantaneous jump (e.g., due to the VCO phase noise).

The net charge therefore becomes proportionally positive. Similarly, for a small negative instantaneous phase jump, the net charge becomes proportionally negative. The key point is that, in both cases, the charge is proportional to I1, leading to the characteristic shown in (d).
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 31

What is the Effect of the Above Nonlinearity on a Fractional-N Synthesizer?

Decompose the characteristic shown in previous example into two components:

We roughly approximate the error by a parabola, T2in b, and write Qtot IavgTin+ T2in-b

The multiplication of Tin by itself is a mixing effect and translates to the convolution.

Charge pump nonlinearity translates the modulators highfrequency quantization noise to in-band noise, thus modulating VCO.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 32

Approach to Alleviating the Charge Pump Mismatch

Split the PFD reset pulse to create a static phase error and avoid slope change.
The PLL must lock with a zero net charge

The static phase offset is

For a sufficiently large TD and hence T0, phase fluctuations simply modulate the width of the negative current pulse in Inet, leading to a characteristic with a slope of I2. Unfortunately, this technique also introduces significant ripple on the control voltage.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 33

Another Approach Using Sampling Circuit

A sampling circuit interposed between the charge pump and the loop filter can mask the ripple, ensuring that the oscillator control line sees only the settled voltage produced by the CP. In other words, a deliberate current offset or Up/Down misalignment along with a sampling circuit removes the nonlinearity resulting from the charge pump and yields a small ripple
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 34

Quantization Noise Reduction Techniques: DAC Feedforward

quantization error:

Here, W is the shaped noise whereas in cascaded modulators, we compute Q = Y-A, which is unshaped.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 35

Basic DAC Feedforward Cancellation

In the absence of analog and timing mismatches, each modulator output pulse traveling through the divider, the PFD, and the charge pump is met by another pulse produced by the DAC, facing perfect cancellation.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 36

Issues in Previous System and Modifications()

An integrator must be interposed between the subtractor and the DAC due to different form of quantization noise arriving at the loop filter and DAC output.

Accuracy requirement: it is necessary to requantize the 17-bit representation by another modulator, thereby generating a, say, 6bit representation whose quantization noise is shaped.

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Issues in Previous System and Modifications()

quantization error:

The Up and Down pulses activate the CP for only a fraction of the reference period, producing a current pulse of constant height each time. The DAC, on the other hand, generates current pulses of constant width. The sampling loop filter is typically used to mask the ripple.
What is the effect of the mismatch between the charge pump current and the DAC current in system above?
The unequal areas of the current pulses generated by the CP and the DAC lead to incomplete cancellation of the quantization noise. For example, a 5% mismatch limits the noise reduction to roughly 26 dB.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 38

DAC Gain Error

Since both the charge pump current and the DAC current are defined by means of current mirrors, mismatches between these mirrors lead to incomplete cancellation of the quantization noise. The quantization noise applied to the DAC are convolved and folded to low frequencies, raising the in-band phase noise.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 39

Fractional Divider
Another approach to reducing the modulator quantization noise employs fractional dividers, i.e., circuits that can divide the input frequency by noninteger values such as 1.5 or 2.5

Even with a half-rate clock, Dout track Din. In other words, for a given clock rate, the input data to a DET flipflop can be twice as fast as that applied to a single-edge-triggered counterpart.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 40

CML Implementation and Use in Divide-by-1.5 Circuit

CML implementation

Replacing the flipflops of 3 circuit with the DET circuit. The circuit produces one output period for every 1.5 input periods.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 41

Reference Doubling
If the reference frequency can be doubled by means of an on-chip circuit preceding the PLL, then the phase noise due to the modulator quantization can be reduced by 6 dB.

The input is delayed and XORed with itself, producing an output pulse each time Vin(t) and Vin (t-T) are unequal.

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Example of Fourier Series of Doubler Output

If we consider Vout(t) as the sum of the two half-rate waveforms, determine the Fourier series of Vout(t).
The Fourier series of V1(t) can be written as

where 0 = 2/(2T1). The second waveform, V2(t), is obtained by shifting V1 by T1. Thus, the first harmonic is shifted by 0T1 = , the second by 20T1 = 2, etc. It follows that

Adding V1(t) and V2(t), we note that all odd harmonics of 0 vanish, yielding a waveform with a fundamental frequency of 20

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Doubler Output with Input Duty Cycle Distortion

If the input duty cycle deviates from 50%, the odd harmonics are not completely canceled, appearing as sidebands around the main component at 1/T1. Since the PLL bandwidth is chosen about one-tenth 1/T1, the sidebands are attenuated to some extent.

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Multi-Phase Frequency Division: an Overview

It is possible to create a fractional divide ratio by means of a multi-phase VCO and a multiplexer. Suppose a VCO generates M output phases with a minimum spacing of 2/M, and the MUX selects one phase each time, producing an output given by

where k is an integer. Now, let us assume that k varies linearly with time, sequencing through 0, 1, , M -1, M, M + 1, . Thus, k = t, where denotes the rate of change of k, and hence

The divide ratio is therefore equal to 1 - (/c)(2/M)

Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 45

An Example of Multi-Phase Frequency Division

This technique affords a frequency divider having a modulus of 1 and modulus of 1.25. Since the divide ratio can be adjusted in a step of 0.25, the quantization noise falls by 20 log 4 = 12 dB
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 46

Issues in Multi-Phase Fractional Division: Problem of Phase Selection Timing Margin

The MUX select command (which determines the phase added to the carrier each time) is difficult to generate.

The edges of the select waveforms have a small margin with respect to the input edges. Moreover, if the divide ratio must switch from 1.25 to 1, a different set of select waveforms must be applied, complicating the generation and routing of the select logic.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 47

Issues in Multi-Phase Fractional Division: Phase Mismatches

The quadrature LO phases and the paths within the MUX suffer from mismatches, thereby displacing the output transitions from their ideal points in time. The spectrum contains a large component at 4/(5Tin) and sidebands at other integer multiples of 1/(5Tin) It is possible to randomize the selection of the phases so as to convert the sidebands to noise.
Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 48

Appendix I: Spectrum of Quantization Noise

In general, if a pulse p(t) is randomly repeated every Tb seconds, the resulting spectrum is given by

The variance of a random variable x is obtained as

Probability density function of binary data with an average value of

Fourier transform of p(t) is equal to

Chapter11 Fractional -N Synthesizers 49

References ()

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References ()

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